Results 3,561-3,580 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: He does not have discretion at the moment.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party did not give it the tools to do the job.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party is intimidating the gardaí in the investigation.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is undermining the Garda.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: That is a disgrace.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Who is the dog?

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: No.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies on all sides for what has been a very constructive debate. A number of common themes have emerged. It is important to say, in the interests of honesty and bluntness, that not all the issues raised today can be resolved by a valuation Bill. This is a valuation Bill; it is not a magic wand. I acknowledged in my opening contribution that we had a really good engagement in...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Sub-Committee (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform, pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works confirm that the lease on Lissycasey Garda Station has expired. The Garda Station at Lissycasey, due to the current condition of the property, is in need of extensive refurbishment and requires considerable investment in order to meet modern regulatory requirements and to bring the property to a standard acceptable for use as a public building. An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The river in question does not form part of any drainage scheme for which the Office of Public Works has maintenance responsibility. Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for Local Authorities to investigate and address and Louth County Council may carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using its own resources. The Office of Public Works operates...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: As indicated in my reply of 22nd January, discussions are taking place between the various stakeholders on the proposed establishment of an interim National Flood Forecasting Service. The issues for discussion include how the resource requirements can be met, including the required resources and expertise in the disciplines of meteorology and hydrology. It is not possible at this stage...

Topical Issue Debate: Coastal Protection (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I echo the Acting Chairman's words of congratulations to Deputy Michael McNamara and his fiancee and wish them both the very best on their recent engagement. I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter which, in fairness to him, he has consistently raised with me since my appointment to this role eight or nine months ago. Ireland is a maritime nation and so coastal flooding and...

Topical Issue Debate: Coastal Protection (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for the specifics. It is very important to get this right. There is a time for studies and a time for action, but in relation to coastal erosion, it is very important that if the taxpayer is going to pump millions of euro, or more, into funding schemes related to coastal erosion, we get it right. To its credit, Clare County Council has submitted seven applications to my...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Church Island in Lough Currane, Waterville, Co. Kerry is a National Monument in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. The site is in the ownership of the State and is managed by the Commissioners locally through the National Monuments Depot at Killarney. Regular conservation and maintenance work is carried out at the Church Island site by Office of Public Works staff and it is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Property (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The tender process for works at Waterville Coastguard Station is nearing completion. A contract will be placed on confirmation of funding by the Irish Coastguard Service.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Monuments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Brennan for again raising this matter, about which he is extremely passionate and on which he has very sincere views. He has convinced me to be passionate about it as well in the context of wanting the project to be brought to a conclusion. As the Senator is well aware, Carlingford is a very historic town with a number of fine structures, including two national monuments in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Monuments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I very much look forward to that. I thank the Senator and the Carlingford Heritage Trust, and indeed the local community of Carlingford who I know hold this castle in such high regard because they, like me, see its potential benefit for Carlingford from a tourism, heritage and economic point of view. I very much look forward to visiting with the Senator, looking around the historic town of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Zappone for raising this matter and apologise on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection who is not in a position to attend and who has asked me to deliver a response on her behalf. As the Senator will know, the eligibility rules governing the payment of a student maintenance grant are a matter for the Department of Education and Skills and are set down...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Zappone for her comments. The Tánaiste has been very consistent in her view that she wants to help people access education, training and the workplace. The changes that have been made to the back to education allowance scheme allows a customer of the Department of Social Protection who may not have informed, nor were they obliged to inform, someone they were in study,...